Omar Bennett
Political campaign details can be found on various platforms, including government websites and independent organizations. For instance, the Federal Election Commission (FEC) provides a wealth of information on campaign finance, candidates, and committees. FEC.gov offers data tables, financial disclosures, and nationwide statistics to help understand campaign funding and spending. Similarly, OpenSecrets, a non-profit organization, tracks money in politics, lobbying, and campaign contributions. They offer searchable databases, custom data sets, and insights into the financial forces shaping elections. Additionally, state-specific websites, like Michigan.gov, provide searchable databases on campaign finance, elections, and voter resources. These sources enable the public to research and understand the financial aspects of political campaigns, their contributors, and their spending.
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What You'll Learn
Federal Election Commission (FEC)
The Federal Election Commission (FEC) is an independent agency of the United States government that enforces U.S. campaign finance laws and oversees U.S. federal elections. It was established in 1974 through amendments to the Federal Election Campaign Act. The commission is led by six commissioners who are nominated by the president and confirmed by the Senate.
The FEC describes its duties as "to disclose campaign finance information, to enforce the provisions of the law such as the limits and prohibitions on contributions, and to oversee the public funding of Presidential elections." This includes monitoring donation prohibitions, limits, and public funding for presidential campaigns. The FEC also compiles nationwide statistics on federal campaigns to help the public and researchers understand how candidates compare with national and state trends and rankings.
The FEC maintains a database of individuals who have made contributions to federally registered political committees. Data on individual contributors includes their names, employers or occupations, locations, contribution dates and amounts, and the committees receiving the contributions. The FEC website also provides resources such as campaign finance reports from 1972 to the present, filed by candidates and authorized committees, itemizing receipts and disbursements.
The chair of the commission rotates annually among the commissioners, with no commissioner serving as chair more than once during a six-year term. However, a commissioner may serve as chair more than once if they serve beyond six years and no successor is appointed. Critics of the FEC argue that the membership structure regularly causes deadlocks on 3-3 votes, with an increasing number of tie votes since 2008.
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State-level data
One essential source of state-level data is individual State Board of Elections or Department of State websites. These sites offer election results for various offices, including state-level positions. For instance, the Harvard Library provides election data for Governor General County elections from 1990 to 2020. Additionally, county and city websites and public libraries are valuable resources for local election outcomes.
Campaign contribution data, which is often publicly available on government agency websites, can reveal which individuals and businesses support a particular candidate or political party. For example, the 2017 Albuquerque mayoral campaign data shows contributions from both Democratic and Republican supporters. This information can be mapped to visualize the geographic distribution of support and inform campaign outreach strategies.
Demographic and socioeconomic data play a pivotal role in political campaigns. The US Census Bureau collects comprehensive data on various characteristics, including voting and registration patterns, race, ethnicity, and linguistic isolation. By combining this data with voter address information, campaigns can gain a deeper understanding of their supporters' profiles and identify areas requiring additional outreach.
Furthermore, data firms create comprehensive national databases by combining state and local voter files. These databases include basic information such as names, party affiliation, and addresses. To enhance the accuracy of the data, firms may "clean" it by cross-referencing it with other sources, such as postal service databases. Additionally, firms layer on additional data points, like purchasing behavior and Census information, to build a more comprehensive profile of potential voters. This data is then integrated with software systems and texting apps to facilitate cross-platform campaigning.
Social media platforms, like Facebook, also play a significant role in political campaigns. Campaigns can upload lists of targeted individuals, identified by names or phone numbers, and receive feedback on the number of people who viewed the ad. They can also leverage data points, such as interests, family structure, and language, to microtarget specific voter segments or target users within a 1-mile radius.
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Campaign finance reports
The FEC website (fec.gov) is a secure .gov website, indicated by the use of HTTPS, where sensitive information can be safely shared. The FEC database contains nationwide statistics on federal campaigns, allowing the public and researchers to compare candidates with national and state trends. The FEC also provides a list of all documents filed by the candidate and their campaign committees, including cross-references to reports from other committees disclosing PAC or party contributions, independent expenditures, and communication costs.
In addition to federal campaigns, the FEC also provides information on state-level campaigns. Their Combined Federal/State Disclosure and Election Directory lists each state office that maintains candidate reports and other disclosures. For campaigns prior to 1993, additional information can be obtained by contacting the Public Records Office.
At the state level, some states like Michigan have their own searchable databases for campaign finance information. The Michigan Secretary of State website (michigan.gov) provides access to committee information and filings, including Candidate, PAC, Ballot Question, and Political Party statements. However, users should be aware of potential inconsistencies in the data due to filing requirements, and it is recommended to cross-reference with original campaign statements.
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Political donations
Federal Election Commission (FEC)
The FEC maintains a comprehensive database of individuals who have made contributions to federally registered political committees in the United States. The FEC's website provides a secure platform to search for individual contributors by name, employer, occupation, location, contribution date, and amount. This database offers insights into the financial backers of specific committees and candidates.
OpenSecrets
OpenSecrets is a non-profit research organization dedicated to tracking money in American politics. It offers a donor lookup tool that enables users to trace donations to politicians and political committees at the federal and state levels. OpenSecrets also provides insights into the influence of industries, special interest groups, and "dark money" organizations on elections and policy-making. The website features in-depth analyses, data on campaign contributions, and information on lobbying activities by various entities.
State-Specific Databases
In addition to federal resources, some states maintain their own searchable databases. For example, Michigan has a campaign finance searchable database that provides information on committees, candidates, and political parties. These state-specific databases can offer more localized insights into political donations and their impact on state-level elections.
Other Sources
There are also other organizations and websites that provide information on political donations. These sources may include news outlets, think tanks, and non-profit organizations that focus on government transparency and accountability. By consulting multiple sources, individuals can gain a broader understanding of the role of money in politics and make more informed decisions.
It is important to note that while these resources provide valuable information, they may not always be fully up-to-date or accurate. Cross-referencing information from multiple sources and consulting official campaign statements can help verify the data.
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Campaign statements
In the United States, campaign statements for federal offices, including the U.S. Senate, the U.S. House of Representatives, and the President, are filed with the Federal Election Commission (FEC). The FEC maintains a database of campaign finance reports, which itemize contributions, loans, and expenditures. These reports are available on the FEC website, providing transparency into the financial aspects of political campaigns.
Additionally, campaign statements are required from committees supporting or opposing state and local ballot propositions, as well as political party committees or independent political committees. These statements disclose itemized contributions and loans from individuals or companies totaling $100 or more during an election cycle. They also outline how the funds were spent, including payments to campaign staff, consultants, and various expenses such as postage, printing, media advertising, and polling surveys.
The frequency of filing campaign statements varies depending on the election. For instance, in a June primary election, four statements are filed in the months leading up to the election and after it. Similarly, for a November general election, three statements are filed before and after the election date. During the 90 days preceding these elections, any individual contributions of $1,000 or more must be reported within 24 hours.
The availability of campaign statements is crucial for maintaining transparency in the political process. While some statements are available online, others may still require a visit to government offices, such as a city clerk's office, to access the campaign reports.
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Frequently asked questions
The Federal Election Commission (FEC) provides a database of information on political campaigns, including campaign finance reports and statistics on federal campaigns. You can also find state-specific information, such as the Michigan Campaign Finance Searchable Database.
The FEC website provides a range of information, including financial activity summaries for congressional candidates, political parties, and political action committees. You can also find information on individual contributors, such as their names, employers, and contribution amounts.
Yes, there are independent organizations such as OpenSecrets that track money in politics and provide data and analysis on political funding and campaign finance trends.
On the FEC website, you can search for specific candidates or committees by name, state, or territory. On OpenSecrets, you can use the search tool to find a specific politician or donor by name.
